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Instruct supports scientists in exploring their science from helping students understand the core principles of Structural Biology to building a vision of the Grand Challenges our science must resolve.

"Integrated Structural Biology is at a critical stage; failure is not an option..."

Prof. Dave Stuart

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Instruct will foster greater cooperation to encourage innovation, make investments more effective, and improve our ability to solve problems. We build meaningful long-term collaborations with industry and academia that lead to translatable scientific advances.

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Be part of our thriving community of scientists who use integrated structural biology to further the frontiers of science. Help solve the grand challenges facing society by pushing the boundaries of existing scientific disciplines and expertise.

Instruct FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Instruct:

In order for Instruct to have a vehicle with a legal identity and the ability to enter into contracts, a not-for-profit company is being established (called Instruct Academic Services Ltd).

During the preparatory phase different legal forms were discussed: a Belgian international non-profit association (i.e. an "Internationale Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk); a European Research Infrastructure ("ERIC") and a "special project" of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Of all the options the not-for-profit company was evaluated by the funding bodies and the legal team involved as the more appropriate as this stage of the project. Instruct is preparing an ERIC application expecting to be ready by March 2016.

2. Who employs the Operations Team?

The personnel are employed by the University of Oxford following the rules, regulation and salary scales of the University.

3. Why is the Instruct office in the UK?

During the preparatory phase the location of the coordinating office was discussed by the Executive Committee and it was agreed to site it at the University of Oxford in the first phase of the project. The project was coordinated from the offices at the University of Oxford during the preparatory phase. Transfer of the coordinating office to another Instruct Centre may be possible following a directive by the Instruct Council.

4. How can my institution become an Instruct Centre, and what's in it for me and my institution?

Existing Instruct Centres will be validated periodically and proposed new Centres will need to be assessed. An open call for Instruct Centres will be published in Q4 2012. More information can be found here.

Evaluation of centres: It is proposed that, in future, existing centres and applications for new associate or core centres are evaluated against specific criteria by a Validation Committee established by the Instruct Council with advice from the International Scientific Advisory Board. Centres will provide a business case that sets out their strategic fit with Instruct goals. The Validation Committee will assess the business cases against the criteria. The case for existing centres to continue as Instruct Centres, and their contribution to the goals of Instruct, will be reviewed every 5 years, with a mid-term ‘light-touch’ review to identify and address any issues such as difficulties with provision of access.

Criteria for selection of core and associate centres (Key: E-essential, P-preferable, X- not required, D-depends (specified on a case-by-case basis)):

Core

Centre

Associate

Centre

Criterion

E

-

Provides technologies defined as ‘core’ (a technology essential for the success of Instruct)

-

E

Provides a technology/expertise required for an aspect of Instruct’s strategic plan, but not currently deemed a ‘core’ technology. Could be a nascent technology.

Firm commitment to provide access at a level that allows a reasonable number of Instruct projects to be accommodated

E

E

Firm commitment to provide expertise necessary to support users and technical development (as appropriate)

E

E

The applicant centre’s country or other funding agency is willing to make the commitment required to support Instruct (eg subscription to Instruct, underwrite fixed running costs)

E

P

Willing to enter pan-European collaborations (science)

E

P

Track record of scientific collaborations (European/international)

E

E

Willing to collaborate (tech development)

E

E

Track record of technical development

E

X

Experience of integrative technological approaches

X

E

Linked to a core centre.

E

E

Be willing to comply with Instruct IP policy for Instruct-related projects.

Criteria for National Affiliated Centres

Instruct National Affiliated Centres will:

Be a centre of excellence within the context of their host country

Provide some, not necessarily all, of the core Instruct technologies

Show evidence of an intention to move towards integrated structural biology approaches

Offer access to National Affiliated Centre facilities to national, and possibly non-national, users

Be capable of, and willing to organise training programmes in collaboration with Instruct

Be willing to participate in the transfer of relevant new technologies to/from Instruct

Function at a higher level as a single unit when distributed sites are involved

Provide a coherent sustainable plan including governance, that enables operation as a single site

5. Can anyone apply for Instruct training programmes?

Instruct will provide training in advanced integrative structural biology to the structural and cell biologists and the broader biological community. All scientists from member countries can apply to the training program.